Check UAE Visa Status — Tourist, Employment, Residence & Transit
Two ways to check any UAE visa: use the free official portals to confirm your application or validity, or get a paid certificate — electronically signed by our visa verification expert with a scannable barcode — confirming the visa is genuine. AED 10.50, no account needed.
Two ways to check your UAE visa status
A. Free official-portal check
Use the UAE government portals to check whether your visa is issued, under process, valid or cancelled. You'll need your passport number, nationality and date of birth — or the application/file reference number.
- ICP Smart Services — all emirates except Dubai
- GDRFA Dubai — Dubai-issued visas
Best for: applicants waiting on a decision, residents confirming validity, sponsors tracking a file.
B. Paid verification (AED 10.50)
Need proof a UAE visa is genuine — for an employer, sponsor, landlord or before paying an agent? Our visa verification expert cross-checks the visa with official UAE immigration data and issues an electronically signed PDF certificate with a scannable barcode within 24–48 business hours.
- Upload your visa and passport. Upload a clear copy of the UAE visa and the passport bio page on the eVisas.io verification page.
- Pay AED 10.50. Secure payment for the verification report. No account required.
- Receive a barcode-verified certificate. Our visa verification expert cross-checks the visa with official UAE immigration data and issues an electronically signed PDF certificate with a scannable barcode within 24–48 business hours.
Check status by UAE visa type
Tourist visa
Tourist visa status moves from received → under process → issued or rejected. Standard processing is 3–5 business days, express 24–48 hours. Once issued the visa is valid for 60 days from issuance and lets you stay 30 or 60 days depending on the type.
Employment visa
Employment status depends on MOHRE quota approval, entry permit issuance, medical fitness, Emirates ID and residence stamping. Each step is visible on ICP or GDRFA. Total timeline is typically 7–15 working days after entry.
Residence visa
Residence visa status shows validity (usually 2 or 3 years) and renewal eligibility. Check it before exiting the UAE for more than 180 days, which can trigger automatic cancellation.
Transit visa
48-hour and 96-hour transit visas appear on the same ICP/GDRFA portals. Status confirms the airline-sponsored permit is active for the planned layover dates.
Golden visa
Golden visa status confirms the 5- or 10-year residency, sponsorship-free status and dependants linked. Status is checked on ICP using the file/application reference number.
Visa came back as cancelled or fake?
Don't travel on it. Apply for a fresh UAE visa directly with us — issued in 3–5 business days, with our refund-on-rejection protection.
Check status by emirate
Dubai — GDRFA
All visas issued through a Dubai sponsor (DXB airport entry, Dubai-based employer, Dubai family sponsor) are tracked on the GDRFA Dubai portal. Use passport number + nationality + date of birth, or the application reference printed on the visa receipt.
Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & other emirates — ICP
All non-Dubai visas — Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain — are tracked on the ICP Smart Services portal. Same inputs, same instant result.
UAE visa status — FAQ
How do I check my UAE visa status with passport number?
Use the official ICP Smart Services portal (icp.gov.ae) for all emirates except Dubai, or the GDRFA portal (gdrfad.gov.ae) for Dubai-issued visas. Enter your passport number, nationality and date of birth — your current visa status is displayed instantly and free of charge.
Is there a free way to check UAE visa status?
Yes. ICP Smart Services and GDRFA Dubai both let you check visa application and validity status free of charge using your passport number or application/file reference number. If you need an official certificate confirming the visa is genuine — verified and electronically signed by our visa verification expert with a scannable barcode — eVisas.io offers paid verification for AED 10.50.
How long does UAE visa processing take?
A standard UAE tourist e-visa is typically issued within 3–5 business days. Express processing can deliver an approval in 24–48 hours. Employment and residence visa decisions depend on medical and Emirates ID steps and usually take 7–15 working days.
What does "application under process" mean?
It means immigration has received your file and is reviewing it. No action is needed from you. The status will update to "approved", "rejected" or "additional documents required" once the review completes — usually within the standard processing window.
Why does my UAE visa show as cancelled?
A visa is marked cancelled when the sponsor (employer or family sponsor) initiates cancellation, when you exit the UAE on a single-entry visa, or when the visa expires. A cancelled visa cannot be used to enter the UAE — you must apply for a fresh one.
How do I check UAE visa using application number?
On the ICP or GDRFA portal, choose "Application Status Inquiry", select "Application Number" (sometimes called File Number or Reference Number), and enter it along with your date of birth. Application numbers are usually 13–15 digits long and printed on your visa receipt.
Can I check UAE visa status without Emirates ID?
Yes. Emirates ID is only required for residents. Tourists, employment-visa applicants and family-visit applicants can check status with passport number + nationality + date of birth, or with the application/file reference number.
What's the difference between visa status and visa validity?
Visa status tells you the current state of the visa or application — issued, under process, cancelled, rejected. Visa validity tells you the date range during which the visa can be used to enter or stay in the UAE. Both should be checked before travelling.